For transplant recipients, the Transplant Games offer something more meaningful than medals. The international competitions bring together transplant recipients, living donors, donor families and others who share experiences that can be difficult for outsiders to fully understand.

That community can help participants rebuild confidence, form friendships and see what life after transplantation can look like. Athletes range from serious competitors to people simply trying a sport as part of their recovery. Donors and donor families are also celebrated, while the Games raise awareness of the continuing need for organ donation.

Sports include athletics, badminton, bowling, cycling, darts, golf, archery, padel, pétanque, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis, triathlon and volleyball. Similar to the Olympics there are summer and winter games, and they alternate taking place every two years in different host cities around the world. The next Transplant Games will be held August 1–8, 2027, in Leuven, Belgium, where more than 2,000 athletes plus families, living donors and donor families are expected.

I never knew of this event until now. I've seen the Paralympic Games and watch and celebrate those athletes. But this now brings another opportunity to see the human spirit get lifted through sport and perseverance. My kind of tear-jerker TV.